Why Choose Us
Why ZS Advogados
Not every law firm understands what it means to navigate two legal systems simultaneously. We built this practice specifically for people who need that expertise.
First American Admitted to the Brazilian Bar
Zachariah Zagol is the first American citizen to be admitted to the Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB/SP 351.356). This is not an honorary title or a consulting arrangement — it is full bar admission, with the right to file motions, appear in court, draft public instruments, and represent clients in any legal proceeding in Brazil.
Combined with an LL.M. from USC Gould School of Law and over 15 years of living and working in Brazil, this creates a dual-system expertise that is genuinely unique. When we analyze your estate plan, we are not consulting with separate US and Brazilian counsel who may not fully understand each other's systems. We hold both perspectives in one practice.
Fully Bilingual Practice
Every consultation, every document review, every court filing — we work in both English and Portuguese with equal fluency. There is no translator in the room. There is no delay while someone "checks with the Portuguese-speaking partner." You speak directly with an attorney who thinks in both languages.
This matters more than most people realize. Legal concepts do not translate word-for-word. The Brazilian legitima is not the same as a US "elective share." A cartorio is not a "notary" in the American sense. A holding familiar is not a "family trust." When your attorney understands both legal cultures at a native level, nuance is preserved and miscommunication is eliminated.
Boutique and Personal
At ZS Advogados, the partner handles your case. Not a paralegal. Not a first-year associate. When you call, you reach the attorney who knows your file. When a decision needs to be made, it is made by someone with the experience and authority to make it.
We deliberately limit our caseload to maintain this standard. Large firms take on volume and delegate downward. We take on fewer cases and handle each one at the highest level. For cross-border work — where a missed detail can cost tens of thousands of dollars or years of delay — this approach is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
Transparent Pricing
We publish our fee ranges on our website. Most law firms in Brazil — and most cross-border practices — do not. We believe you should know what a service costs before you engage an attorney, not after you receive the first invoice.
Our pricing is project-based whenever possible, not hourly. For estate planning, we quote a fixed fee after the initial consultation, based on the complexity of your situation. You know the total cost upfront. If the scope changes, we discuss it before proceeding — not after the bill arrives. This is how legal services should work, and it is how we have always operated.
Cross-Border Network
Cross-border estate planning often requires counsel in multiple jurisdictions. We maintain working relationships with US estate attorneys, CPAs specializing in international tax, and notaries across Brazil who are experienced with foreign-national transactions.
When your estate plan requires a coordinated US will, we do not hand you a list of names and wish you luck. We coordinate directly with your US counsel — sharing analysis, reviewing drafts, and ensuring that the two wills work together without conflict. When a cartorio pushes back on an unusual structure, we resolve it directly. This end-to-end coordination is built into our process, not an add-on.
What Our Clients Say
"We owned two apartments in Sao Paulo and had no idea that our US trust was essentially invisible to Brazilian law. Zac walked us through the forced heirship rules, set up coordinated wills, and structured a holding company that saved us an estimated R$180,000 in ITCMD. Worth every centavo."
R.M. & S.M.
American couple, Sao Paulo — Estate Planning
"After my father passed away in Texas, I needed to handle his Brazilian property from abroad. Every other attorney I spoke to said I would need to fly to Brazil. Zac handled the entire probate process remotely through consular powers of attorney. It took 4 months instead of the 2-3 years I was warned about."
J.T.
American heir, Austin TX — International Probate
"The transparency was refreshing. Zac told me upfront what the holding company would cost, what the tax savings would be, and what the annual maintenance would run. No surprises. No hidden fees. After working with Brazilian attorneys who billed by the hour and never gave estimates, this was exactly what I needed."
D.K.
British investor, Rio de Janeiro — Holding Company
"What I appreciated most was that Zac understood both sides. He did not just tell me what Brazilian law required — he explained how it interacted with my US estate plan and my FBAR obligations. No other attorney I consulted could do that."
M.L.
American retiree, Florianopolis — Estate Planning
How We Work
A clear, structured process so you always know where things stand.
Discovery Call
We start with a free 30-minute call to understand your situation, identify key issues, and determine whether we are the right fit. No commitment, no sales pitch.
Consultation & Analysis
A 90-minute paid consultation where we dive deep into your assets, family structure, tax situation, and goals. You receive a written assessment memo within one week.
Strategy Presentation
We present your personalized plan with detailed projections, tax modeling, and a side-by-side comparison of options. You choose the path forward.
Implementation
We execute the plan — drafting wills, forming entities, coordinating with US counsel, completing asset transfers, and handling all filings and registrations.
Ongoing Review
Annual review of your estate plan, compliance filings, and updates for changes in law or personal circumstances. We stay with you for the long term.
Our Team
ZS Advogados is a boutique practice built around cross-border expertise. Every team member is bilingual, and every case is overseen directly by the founding attorney.
Meet the TeamReady to Get Started?
Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss your situation. No obligation, no pressure — just an honest conversation about whether we can help.